CF Softball

CF's Ryskamp resigns

Kerri Ryskamp, who just finished leading the Patriots to one of their most successful seasons this month, resigned Wednesday. Ryskamp leaves CF with a career record of 150-191-1 with three trips to state in her six years at the helm.

Doug Engle/Ocala Star-Banner/File

Staff report

Published: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 7:11 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 7:11 p.m.

The College of Central Florida is looking for a new softball coach.

Kerri Ryskamp, who just finished leading the Patriots to one of their most successful seasons this month, resigned Wednesday.

“She’s leaving to explore other options in her life and career,” CF athletic director Bob Zelinski said. “We thank her for her contributions to the program and our school.”

Zelinski said Ryskamp informed him of her decision to leave during a routine evaluation.

“She was successful here,” Zelinski said. “I’m not sure that she was all that happy here coaching softball. I think she was looking maybe to do other things.”

Zelinski said it was too soon to speculate on the possibility of CF assistant coaches Mike Lingle or Kevin Fagan replacing Ryskamp. Both are well-known and successful local coaches, Fagan as a two-time state champion at Dunnellon High School, and Lingle as a longtime coach at Forest.

Zelinski said that before considering any specific candidates, his first step would be to visit with CF administration to discuss the vacancy and the possibility of naming an interim coach.

“We’re right in the middle of the recruiting season right now,” he said. “Mike (Lingle) is recruiting this weekend. I have not touched base with Mike or Kevin.”

Ryskamp spent time at CF as a player, assistant and head coach.

She played two years for the Patriots and was named NJCAA All-American in 2003. She hit 12 career home runs at CF, which was the school record until Amy Szymanowski surpassed that with 16 this season.

From there, she played two seasons for Mercer (Ga.) University and eventually came back to Ocala to serve as an assistant coach under Kris Cox, before taking over the program.

In 2009, Ryskamp led CF to the FCSAA State Tournament and an upset win over nationally-ranked Indian River State, before losses to Brevard and eventual state champion FSC-Jacksonville eliminated the Patriots.

After missing the playoffs for two years, she led CF back to the postseason in 2012 thanks to a 2-1 win over St. Johns River in the Mid-Florida Conference play-in game.

CF then had its best-ever showing at the state tournament, winning four straight elimination games before a loss to rival Santa Fe ended its season.

The Patriots finished 36-23 under Ryskamp in 2013, including a 17-5 mark home, which was boosted by a 16-0 start.

CF’s 36 wins represented the third-most wins in the program’s 16-year history. The Patriots won 44 games in 2001 and 38 in 2000, but the 2009’s team 34-win total and this year’s 36-victory total joined those teams as the only ones in school history with over 30 victories.

Prior to this year’s state tournament, CF’s only state tournament wins were over Seminole (2006) and Indian River (2009).

Ryskamp leaves CF with a career record of 150-191-1 with three trips to state in her six years at the helm.

<p>The College of Central Florida is looking for a new softball coach.</p><p>Kerri Ryskamp, who just finished leading the Patriots to one of their most successful seasons this month, resigned Wednesday.</p><p>“She's leaving to explore other options in her life and career,” CF athletic director Bob Zelinski said. “We thank her for her contributions to the program and our school.” </p><p>Zelinski said Ryskamp informed him of her decision to leave during a routine evaluation.</p><p>“She was successful here,” Zelinski said. “I'm not sure that she was all that happy here coaching softball. I think she was looking maybe to do other things.”</p><p>Zelinski said it was too soon to speculate on the possibility of CF assistant coaches Mike Lingle or Kevin Fagan replacing Ryskamp. Both are well-known and successful local coaches, Fagan as a two-time state champion at Dunnellon High School, and Lingle as a longtime coach at Forest. </p><p>Zelinski said that before considering any specific candidates, his first step would be to visit with CF administration to discuss the vacancy and the possibility of naming an interim coach.</p><p>“We're right in the middle of the recruiting season right now,” he said. “Mike (Lingle) is recruiting this weekend. I have not touched base with Mike or Kevin.”</p><p>Ryskamp spent time at CF as a player, assistant and head coach.</p><p>She played two years for the Patriots and was named NJCAA All-American in 2003. She hit 12 career home runs at CF, which was the school record until Amy Szymanowski surpassed that with 16 this season.</p><p>From there, she played two seasons for Mercer (Ga.) University and eventually came back to Ocala to serve as an assistant coach under Kris Cox, before taking over the program.</p><p>In 2009, Ryskamp led CF to the FCSAA State Tournament and an upset win over nationally-ranked Indian River State, before losses to Brevard and eventual state champion FSC-Jacksonville eliminated the Patriots.</p><p>After missing the playoffs for two years, she led CF back to the postseason in 2012 thanks to a 2-1 win over St. Johns River in the Mid-Florida Conference play-in game.</p><p>CF then had its best-ever showing at the state tournament, winning four straight elimination games before a loss to rival Santa Fe ended its season.</p><p>The Patriots finished 36-23 under Ryskamp in 2013, including a 17-5 mark home, which was boosted by a 16-0 start.</p><p>CF's 36 wins represented the third-most wins in the program's 16-year history. The Patriots won 44 games in 2001 and 38 in 2000, but the 2009's team 34-win total and this year's 36-victory total joined those teams as the only ones in school history with over 30 victories.</p><p>Prior to this year's state tournament, CF's only state tournament wins were over Seminole (2006) and Indian River (2009).</p><p>Ryskamp leaves CF with a career record of 150-191-1 with three trips to state in her six years at the helm.</p>